Purification of liquids



' Julym,v i537.

G. MDARY' PURIFIGATION 6F LIQUIDs rignqlriieduarchvzs, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 l ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1937. G. M. DARBY PURIFICATION OF LIQUIDS Original Filed March as, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hl W INVENTOR.

GEORGE M. DARBY ATTORNEY,

ff Patented July 2o, 1937 UNITEDSTATES` PATENT o1=1=1c1:l

The Dori- Company, Inc., New York, AN. corporation of Delaware v Application- March 23, 1935, serial No. 12,613 Renewed October 31, 1936 9 Claims.

This invention relates to the clarification of turbd liquids and more specifically to the removal of solids from liquids by occulation of the suspended solids and their subsequent sedimentation, the liquids so treated may be water, sewage, trade-wastes, chemicals and indeed any liquid from which it is desired to remove solids.

More specically this relates to improvements in aunit used for the purification of liquids, which unit comprises a section for the coagmentation of solids keptin lmobilized suspension by agita-I tion into settleable iiocs, and a section for the sedimentation thereof; and it also relates to an improved manner of operating such a unit with regard to the handling therein and removal of the settled sludge. The vapparatus contemplated by this invention 1s of theftype in which the iiocs produced in the agitating operating section may pass directly into the sedimentation operating section without the use of transfer piping or such-iiow constrictions as may cause damage to the fiocs in view of the diflculty of flocs once broken to be re-formed mto something'like their initial structure. Consequently, the apparatus herein .contemplated is of the type in which the liquid to be purified flows in a general horizontal direction through a horizontal sequence of a substantially agitated ilocculating section and a substantially quiescent sedimentationsection. l`

From a more specific angle, the apparatus herein considered constitutes an improvement over the patent to Smith No. 1,893,451. The patented arrangement discloses in substance a horizon'tal flow of liquid through a channel in the initial portion of which is established a zone of ilocculation or oc eoagmentation in which the liquid is agitated for instance by the use of agias to cause thesetting up'of a return current in the lower strata of the flocculation or agitation zone, and such as to cause the piling up of ficos` or sludge deposits-upon the bottom of the channel ubsta-ntially at or past the point of current reurn.

The return current is operative to carry .back scme of the deposited iiocs from the near side of the iioc pile'thereby making them automatically available for the purpose of'seedin'g, that is to say to the end of improved or stimulated iioc formation in the flocculation zone. l In other words, in its disclosure, the above patent relies upon the spontaneous formation of the oc pile in order to make available a continuous supply of seed l ing sections or operating zones thereof.

gether with'such a system the invention also coni `iiocs for recirculation without necessitating the provision of separate or restricted return conduits, and incidentally it alsorelies upon the very bulk of the pile to form something in the way of a submergedpartitlon between` the iiocculation; and the sedimentation zone. 4To allow for cumulative sedimentation in this manner involves the l necessity of periodic removal of the floc pile only after draining the-basin, and of subsequent reformation of the pile, but it also involves the risk of having the sludge turn septic as a result of too long a detention orstagnation.

One object of the present improvement is. to provide means for making available at substantially all times a supply of everchanging non-septic ocs for recirculation without having to rely upon the spontaneous formation of the floc pile.

Another object is to makepossible the continuous removal of iioc deposits in excess of those required for recirculation, and without interfering with the operation of floc recirculation or otherwise with the operation of the unit.

Another object is to improve the total eiiiciency of a combined iiocculation-sedimentation unit. of the type characterized above, by providing means which increasevthe individual operating emcienc'y of the respective flocculationand sedimentation sections of the unit yet without interfering with 'the proper and direct cooperation of both.

Still'another object is to reduce or'prevent an undueshortcircuiting of ocs from the iiocculating zone into the sedimentation zone, and to in-l sure sumcient detention of all ocs in the occu lating section ,of the unit.

In order to attain these ends the invention contemplates providing in the-unit or tank a subdividing, or partitioning, or baming system or baille wall structure for the control of the 'flow and. other conditions desired in the respective operating sections of the unit, for the purpose of increasing individual sectional efficiency as well as total' efficiency of the unit while maintaining the required close interconnection, cooperation,

and coordination between therespective operat- Totemplate's the use of mechanical means to operate in the sedimentation section of the unit vfor the removal under submergence of the sludge therefrom.

Morespeclfically, this contemplates the provision of a main dividing or partitioning means to extend transversely ofthe unit, and substantially delineating. the iloccuiating zone as against the sedimentation zone, so as to render the respective sectionsv substantially independent from each other with regard to the individually desired operating conditions for both.

According to one feature a baille wall structure of the type and character herein contemplated defines substantially the transverseV limits between these operating zones at the place of their abutment and is adapted to deter the transference of liquid under turbulent influences from the coagmentation zone to the quiescent sedi,- mentation zone while permitting the drift to the sedimentation zone of settleable ocs.

According to another feature, the main dividing means or baille member extends transversely of the horizontal unit or tank and in operative connection with the bottom thereof so as to form a backing for insuring the retention of ocs to be available as a supply for the purpose of recirculation as by the return current induced in the lower strata of the flocculation section. On the other hand this dividing member is arranged to permit of the transfer of suspended excess and finished fiocs into the settling range of the sedimentation section, from which the settled sludge may be removed by suitable means under submergence, and without affecting the rst mentioned supply of flocs which in turn may be replenished by the everchanging supply of deposits. Another feature provides baille means to reduce or prevent an objectionable degree of short-circuiting of iiocs from the occulating zone to the sedimentation zone, which short-circuiting is tantamount to a loss of detention otherwise necessary for complete flocculation. A More specically, these baille means are arranged in such a way that no appreciable reaction from 'the agitating effect in the occulating zone will be yfelt in the sedimentation zone, although there are provided suitable liquid passages for fiocculated liquid to enter into the sedimentation zone.

, Still another feature according to one embodiment provides for a controllable return of settled sludge from the sedimentation section into the flocculating section directly through a preferred partition member such as defines the two operating sections against each other. To this end closure controlled openings may be 'provided ,in the partition near the tank bottom, by virtue of which the return passage area for settled sludge may be varied.

In one embodiment of this invention the horizontally arranged fiocculation-sedimentation unit or tank comprises a ilocculating section in which is mounted a horizontal sequence of agitators rotatable about horizontal axes, or in which is provided any other suitable agitation produc- ,ing means adapted to effect a mobilized suspension of the solids in said zone and the coagmentation thereof as by way of obtaining a multitude of gentle collisions therebetween to condition them into settleable flocs. A partition or transverse wall or-baiile system marks the end of 4the flocculating section, while passages in the wall providefor the ventry of the flocculated liquid into the sedimentation( section of the unit by way of submerged longitudinally extending feed channels of suitable size connected with said passages. These submerged feed channels, while preventing direct disturbance fromvthe agitation zone to reach the sedimentation zone, are moreover peculiarly effective to increase the volumetric efiiciency of the sedimentation section proper. Suitable raking means may effect the .ity in the appended claims.

amount of short-circuiting between both, of a` lessened amount of relative disturbance between both, of an everchanging andcontrollable supply of ilocs. made available for recirculation, of individually controlled and essentially undisturbed independent operation of the respective operating sections of the unit without having to sacrifice a necessary 'close and direct cooperative relationship and interconnection, and finally the advantage of a relative saving in space or apparatus volume due to the cumulative effect Aof the afore- 4mentioned advantages.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which with the foregoing Will be set forth in the following description. In the following description and in the claims, partsl will be identified by specic names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the artwill permit. In the accompanying drawings there has been illustrated the best embodiment of the invention known to m'e, but such embodiment is to be regarded as typical only of many possible embodiments, and the invention is not to be limited thereto.

In particular it should be understood that for instance it is within the scope of this invention to modify the size or dimensions of the respective flocculating and sedimentation sections, as long as their general horizontal andendwise adjoining coordination is preserved.

A 'Ihe novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention'are set forth with particularf The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which' Fig. 1 shows 'a longitudinal sectional elevation .of the flocculating-sedimentation unit.

v1, of the central lower portion of the unit, showing parts of the novel baille system. It is a partial longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the center of the channel 31.

In Fig. 1 is indicated a unit I0 for the clarification of turbid liquids, substantially consisting of a tank or horizontal channel subdivided by a wall or partition II into a flocculating or solids coagmenting section I2 and a sedimentation section I3. The tank consists substantially oi' the bottom I 4, the side Walls I5 and I6, the inuent end I1, and the eiliuent end I8. The influent proper is shown at I9, the eflluent being indicated by the transverse eflluent launder 20 at the opposite end of ythe'tank unit I0.

The flocculating section I2 in the embodiment shown is provided with an agitating mechanism comprisingfor instance a series of transverse agitator shafts 2l mounted in bearings or journals 22 carried upon supporting members 23 rising from the bottom of the tank. Each agitator shaft 2l carries a series of agitator paddles 24 shown in staggered arrangement. `The agitator shafts are operatively interconnected through a driving arrangement comprising the chains and 26 and corresponding sprockets, and a main `driving chain 21 deriving power from a motor aris shown to 'be provided with holes or perfora-I tions 32 for the passage therethrough of the liquid. Between the baille wall and the end I1 of the tank is thus formed a chamber 30a in which pre-treatment of the liquid such as dosing with a chemical or occulant :may take place, unless a special dosing device arrangement is provided ahead of the flocculator tank section. The partition or wall II which marks the end of -the iiocculating section I2 is shown to have openings 34 and 35 (see Fig. 3) for the transfer therethrough of floc carrying liquid into the sedimentation section I3.

The sedimentation section |3 of the unit in one of the I possible embodiments is 4equipped with a bali-le system 36 (see Fig. 4) in the form of a plurality of submerged parallel channels 31 and 38 arranged to conduct liquid entering through the openings 34 and 35 respectively into the sedimentation section I3. The channels extend the length of the sedimentation sectionand distribute the liquid conducted therein accordingly along and over the bottom of the sedimenta- Ytion section in a manner to effect etlicient sedimentation as will hereinafter be seen. The distributing channels also act as baiiles between whichA any agitation or commotion of the liquid is conflned, thus leaving the settling space proper of the section I3 relatively undisturbed. However it should be understood that the transfer of liquid from the fiocculation section I2 to the sedimentation section I3 may be eected in other ways, as by spreading the passage for the liquid substantially over the whole width of the tank.

Each channel structure 31 and 38 respectively comprises sidewalls 39, a top portion 40, and a bottom portion 4I having a series of outlet holes 42, the whole of the channel structure being spaced from the tank bottom by supporting members 43. The effective cross section of the channel carrying the incoming liquid tapers down from end to end of th sedimentation section I3. The outlet holes or openings 42 are flanked by depending skirts or portions 43a-of the' side walls o'f the channel structure, and are effective to direct the liquid issuingfrom the holes 42 downwardly towards the tank bottom.

Ridges 44 rise from the tank bottom belowfthe outlet holes 42 to-keep that portion'ofthe bottom` which lies just below thedistributing channels 31 andY 33 free from settledsludge. The side Walls of each channel 31 and 38 'espectively extend upwardly beyond the top wall 4I) of the channel to form between them open overiow launders 45 and 46 respectively to terminate at right angles in the-transverse effluent launder 20. Additional overilow launders are provided at 41 and 48 along the side walls I5 and I6 respectively.

The distributing channels 31 and 38 divide the sedimentation section into three strips or alleys 49, 50 and 5I (see Fig. 2), each of which is shown to have a hopper shapedfsump'5la for sludge discharge. A sludge collecting device 52 is operable to convey the sludg/el/'over the bottom along the three alleys towards the respective sumps. The collecting device may be Aof substantially known design and Vinclude a carriage 53 operable for reciprocating motion along the top of the tank and upon track rails 54 mounted upon the sidewalls I5 and I6 respectively. A sludge scraper 55 depends from/,the carriage into each of` the alleys- 49, 50 and 5I and is selectively operable to convey the sludge in one-way fashion towards the respective sump for discharge.

Corresponding tothe three alleys 49,A 50, and

A5I there are arranged sludge return passages in the partition II near the tank bottom at 56, 51, and 58 respectively. Their opening lis controlled by gates or slides 59 actuated through spindles 60 guided in brackets 6I, and handwheels '62 which can be manipulated from the top of the tank as indicated by a platform 63` extending across the tank (see Fig. 2).

Operation Ay streamjbf liquid to be treated enters theV flocculationsedimentation-unit I3 through the` influent channel I9, to meet the baille wall 3l] which defines the chamber 39a in which the liquid might be dosed or conditioned with a suit-v able chemical to induce the initial coagulation of the suspended solids or impurities or in which to cause the formation of Vinitial nuclei upon which settleable ilocs can be built, if no special dosing and mixing arrangement is provided ahead of this section of the unit.

Through thel openings 32 in-the lower portion of the wall 30 the liquid passes on into the flocculating section I2 of the unit where it undergoes agitating treatment by the agitators 24 rotating in the direction shown by arrows. Agitation imparted in this manner to the solids carrying liquid is basically known from the aforementioned patent to Smith No. 1,893,451, according to which the paddles when rotating in the direction shown cause a stream of returning liquid to flow in the lower or bottom strata of the liquid body from the outlet end of the flocculating section to the inlet end hereof. In other words this causes a f transference of flocculated solids, as from the tion. However, it should be understood that any other suitable kind of agitation can be employed that is adapted to produce a state of mobilized suspension of the solids whereby the same are formed into settleable ilocs. Since the partition or end-wall I'I of the occulating section intercepts and detains a certain amount of ilocs prior to their continued passage into the sedimentation section I3 of the u nit, thispartition insures the supply of an adequate amount of iiocs for recirculation-,jand-it obviates an undesirable amount of short-circuiting.

Consequently 'a high average of suitably sized ilocs enters the sedimentation section I3 by way of openings or passages such as 34 and 35 respectively.

The function of the dividing baiile wall I I or else of the bailie system herein disclosed is of importance with respect to the operation of each of the two main sections per se of the unit as well as with respect to their operative relationship. In the specic veld of liquid clarication as herein contemplated the suspended solids causing the turbidity require for their coagmentation a kind of agitation whereby there is established a state of mobilized suspension of the solids, which brings about the coagmentation of the solids into flocs of settleable size and density.

The phase of transferring the flocsthus formed from the agitation section into the sedimentation section is equally of importance since the individual flocs as obtained should not to any ob- -jectionable or appreciable' degree become disrupted or disintegrated before having had a fair chance to settle freely in a zone of quiescence. For this reason thebaffle wall structure according to this invention, defining the limits between the two operating zones, is designed and adapted to deter the transference of liquid under turbulent influences `from the coagmentation zone while permitting the drift thereto of suspended settleable iiocs.

The bale wall II also can besaid'to include a flow intercepting baille portion extending from below to above the liquid level, and by virtue of which there is prevented the short-circuiting of solids which in particular may take place in the top strata of the liquid under treatment.

It 'appears that the baie structure when interposed between the operating zones as contemplated by this invention, accentuates and renders substantially independent from each other and undisturbed by each other the respective individual functions of these operating zones, yet without adverselyaecting their required cooperative relationship. v

In this connection it is also to be noted that in the operation of this clarifying' unit, taking as an exanple the case of water treatment, the agitation in the coagmentation section is to be carried on in such a manner that normally no deposits be retained therein long enough to go septicl vor to permit algae to grow on the sludge particles. On the other hand it is observed that the deposit or` sludge 'in the sedimentation sectionl can be removed without undue delay by virtue of a suitable and for linstance automatic sludge conveying and removal device.

With the partition II interposed between the ilocculationand the sedimentation section of the unit, the paddles are free to be operated at a speed to produce the flocculating phenomena desired, without appreciably interfering with the quiescence which is necessary in the sedimentation section I3 of the unit. Any possible interference betweenagitation andA sedimentation is furthermore effectively avoided bythe channel structure 36 which acts in the way of a baiiie system as well as a distributor and it is herein to be considered in both these capacities. That is to say as a baffle system it prevents to a high degree any interference between the `divergent operating requirements of the two sections I2 and I3. As a feed distributing means it raises the settling eiiciency proper of the section I3 over settling devices vordinarily known, as w'ill be presently explained. From a more general point of view it makes Vpossible the organic, harmonious, and convenient combination of the occulating section of the preferred type with the sedimentation section into a -horizontally ex-v tending longitudinal compact channel orpurication unit. The cross-section'of the distributing channels 31 and V38 taper'down (as seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4) in accordance with the diminishing quantities' of liquid passing through therespective portions thereof. That is to say the volume of the stream passing through the channel diminishes as the liquid discharges through the series of openings 42 in the bottom of the channels 31 and 3B respectively.

In this way the liquid is discharged above the ridges 44, and the solids orl locs guided downwardly between the skirts 43, as closely as practical to the bottom of the tank where they settle, While the carrier liquid is allowed to rise in a more or less vertical direction along the shortest possible line to the respective overow launders 45, 46, 41 and 48. In other words, a relatively high settling eiciency is attained at a minimum of ground space by expanding, distributing or spreading the feed along the tank bottom through the channels 31 and 38, and then allowing for upward flow of the liquid fromthe distributing channel to the overiiow launders substantially transversely of the longitudinal shape of the sedimentation section of the unit.

Without necessitating the shutdown or drainage of the unit, the settled sludge may be continually removed by the operation of the sludge raking members as thecarriage 52 is caused to reciprocate over the length of the sedimentationor tank section I3 in an otherwise obvious manner, pushing the sludge into the respective sli-Inps, hoppers, or outlets 5Ia. Ihe transverse launder 20 collects the overflow from the longit'udinal launders 45, 46, 41 and 48 and leads to exit.

Sludge return from the sedimentation section I2 to the iiocculation section I3 operates through the openings 56, 51 and 58 and may be controlled by way of the handwheels 62 from the top of the tank. That is to say there'is normally assumed to ble present a layer of thickening sludge upon the bottom of the section I3, and which may also keep the sumps 5Ial filled so that the specifically heavy sludge will have the tendency to penetrate by lvirtue of its very density through the openings 56, 51, 58 into the Ilocculating section I2 in an amount controlled by the gate adjustment, when it will be caught in the return current previously described to be mingled with fresh, nascent, and" growing flocs.

I claim: v

1. A horizontally extending clarification tank unit comprising a occulation and a sedimentation section, both sections associated horizontally endwise and operating in series, characterized by baille means interposed between said sections and demarking vsaid sections against one another,-

4said sections against one another, said baille' means having vertical wall portions and a passage associated therewith adapted for the return therethrough of a portion of settled sludge from the sedimentation section into the occulating section, said sludge having a higher specic gravity relative to the mixture in the flocculating sections mechanism for causing transfer of sludge overV the floor of said sedimentation sec- 75,

. bottom for a portion of the sediment raked theretion, and means for withdrawingy such sludge from the sedimentation section.

3. Apparatus for the clarification of turbidliquids having solids suspended therein comprising a tank for liquid to be treated but through which the liquid is adapted to flow continually and in a generally horizontal direction from a feed inlet at one end section to an eluent outlet at another end section -of the tank, a solids coagmenting zone in the inlet section of the tank, liquid-agitating means for in said zone and the coagmentation thereof to condition them into settleable flocs, Aa sedimentation zone in the outlet section of said tank `conducive vto liquid quiescence and adapted for set tleable flocs to deposit therein as sediment, a baille wall structure interposed betweenA said operating zones which is arranged to permit the transfer of floc laden liquid from the coagmenting zone to the sedimentation zone, a sediment discharge section within said sedimentation zone and substantially, adjacent to said baille wall structure, anda sediment raking device operable to convey said sediment into said discharge section and toward said coagmentation section in a direction substantially counter-current to the general horizontal flow direction.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the sedimentation discharge section comprises a sediment sump disposed adjacent-to said wall structure and adapted to receive and hold an accumulation of the conveyed sediment.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3,in which the baille wall structure. extends from the bottom of the tank to above the liquid level therein.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3,` in which the bame wall structure interposed between said coagmentation and sedimentation zonesl is arranged to provide return passage at the tank causing suspension of the.solids to from said sedimentation zone. l '7. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the baiile wall structure interposed between said operating zones is arranged to provide return passage at the tank bottom for sediment from said sedimentation zone, and-is provided with means for adjusting the area of said return passage. p

8. Apparatus for the clarification of turbid liquids having solids therein comprising in combination a tank having an inlet and outlet iur liquid to be treated and through which tank the liquid is adapted to 4flow .generally horizontally from a feed inlet at one end section tol an effluent outlet at another a xed transverse substantially vertical partitioning baiile means dividing the solids coagmenting zone in the tank inlet section and in which suspended solids are conditioned into settleable flocs and into a sedimentation zone,

of subsidence in the outlet section of the tank adapted for settleable flocs to deposit therein as sediment, said partitioning between the inlet and outlet o'f the tank and having at least one opening associated therewith for the passage of liquid containing settleable ocs from the coagmenting zone into the sedimentation zone; liquid agitating means in the coagmentation zone for causing therein mobilized suspension and the coagmentation of the solids thereof; and means for removing sediment from the sedimentation zone while sedimentation functions therein. y

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the sedimentation zone has provided in ita sediment discharge section, and raking means operable for'- impelling deposited sediment to said discharge section.

' GrEORGEv M. DARBY.

means being disposed end section of the tank;-

tank into an agitated 

